Wednesday, September 08, 2004

FUTURE SOUNDS 16

Better late than never, here's the latest FUTURE SOUNDS, full of bands you should already know about......

1. THE ZUTONS – Pressure PointSo this one has been out in the UK for some time, and no one there will be surprised about this band, but THE ZUTONS have really yet to take hold in the states. Perhaps it is only because they didn’t lead with this SLY & THE FAMILY STONE-freak out, Pressure Point. An incredible album on top of it all.
THE ZUTONS – Who Killed The Zutons – Deltasonic Records.

2. THE BEES – Wash In The RainContinuing on the theme that has the Brits ahead of the curve (nothing new), THE BEES come out with a gorgeous record for fans of THE CORAL or THE THRILLS or anyone that appreciates the ‘60’s vibe coupled with this year’s model. Great driving song - buy this import.
THE BEES – Free The Bees – EMI Records.

3. RAZORLIGHT – Golden TouchI really added all of these bands because half of the folks I talk with these days seem to be missing all of these obvious and brilliant new releases blowing up in the UK. RAZORLIGHT was actually on FUTURE SOUNDS over a year ago before they were signed, but here they come with their full-length release on Universal International.
RAZORLIGHT – Up All Night – Universal International.

4. THE LIBERTINES – Can’t Stand Me NowWhen they’re good, they’re simply amazing live. When they’re bad, it’s probably because Pete is in the pokey again for some kinda charge. A strong recommendation on this MICK JONES produced record, and this track offers a glimpse of the boys openly discussing their future and their love of playing together and staying together.
THE LIBERTINES – The Libertines – Rough Trade Records.

5. IKARA COLT – Wake In The CityI’ve been waiting for this ALEX NEWPORT produced record for what feels like forever, and while they don’t forge into new frontiers, they deliver what IKARA COLT fans ask for from the crew. This is a great record for those of you that don’t start your day until nighttime.
IKARA COLT – Modern Apprentice – Fantastic Plastic Records.

6. INTERPOL – EvilWhat’s there to say about these guys that hasn’t been said before? I’m not going to attempt to turn you on to INTERPOL, rather just praise their new release that was leaked far too early, although I don’t think it will hurt the impact that this new record will have on us. Could’ve picked any of the tracks on this record – first single ‘Slow Hands’ is also excellent.
INTERPOL – Antics – Matador Records.

7. FILM SCHOOL – HarmedSan Francisco’s FILM SCHOOL has found it’s groove and looks for big things as this year closes out. Plans for a September tour to New York City and London to promote this single (on the forthcoming Fierce Panda compilation), and a date with TV ON THE RADIO at The Garage looks to attract more attention to this furious live act. ‘Harmed’ sounds Like ROBERT SMITH exploding.
FILM SCHOOL – Shock & Oar EP- Fierce Panda Records.

8. THE FAINT – I DisappearIn perhaps the quietist new release by a band everyone has been waiting for in some memory, THE FAINT dance their way back into our consciousness with their latest, Wet From Birth. Here’s another band that didn’t change their formula much from their previous release, but no one really wanted them to anyway.
THE FAINT – Wet From Birth – Saddle Creek Records.

9. EVERY MOVE A PICTURE – On The Edge Of Something Beautiful At 12 AMA recent flurry of industry attention has San Francisco’s EVERY MOVE A PICTURE on the hot watch list everywhere. That ‘80’s sound won’t stop, and doesn’t with EMAP, but once you let it ride and just let it bop, it gives you a hook that sticks with you. Needs: Management, booking.
EVERY MOVE A PICTURE – Every Move A Picture – No label.

10. THE TWENTY-TWO’S – She DoesCombining THE B-52’S with SLEATER KINNEY, NYC’s THE TWENTY-TWO’S give us this dirty little stomp. Often compared to THE DONNAS, these girls pack more JOAN JETT than SAHARA HOTNIGHTS. Plus, you gotta love a band whose singer’s name is Jenny Christmas and the bassist is known as Terrah Schroll.
THE TWENTY-TWO’S – EP – No label.

11. THE FIVE O’CLOCK HEROES – Run To HerLead singer, Antony Ellis’ delivery gets me right off the bat on Run To Her. This band is comprised of one half Brits and one half Americans, and a twin guitar attack. Great track, full of energy and hunger like an old JAM tune.
THE FIVE O’CLOCK HEROES – Head Games (Single) – No label.

12. HOPE OF THE STATES – NehemiahSo I am WAY late onto this record. I actually got it ages ago and didn’t give it much of a chance past the second song. Recently I put it on in the car on the drive and discovered this album that has been one of my favorite of the whole year.
HOPE OF THE STATES – The Lost Riots – Sony UK.

13. THE OPEN – ElevationMining the territory of ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN (now you hear it) while managing their own spacey ways, THE OPEN hail from Liverpool, and they have Simon Raymonde (COCTEAU TWINS) behind the scenes and push the territory that THE VERVE covered before their demise. For fans of DOVES and ELBOW.
THE OPEN – The Silent Hours – Polydor UK.

14. APARTMENT – PeopleI’ve mentioned APARTMENT in previous FUTURE SOUNDS notes, but finally got the green light to let the little secret out of the bag on this band and this amazing voice! Developed in a den of sin, honestly, this London four piece are poised to do some damage before it’s all said and done.
APARTMENT – Demo – No label.

15. THE FLOOR – Isolene, IFrom Edmonton, Canada (hail Gretzky) here are THE FLOOR (Don’t look down; they’re on your speakers). This is actually from their self released 2003 CD, Autonomy Off/On, but their live show and sounds have gotten the attention of weasels everywhere. First band in some time to name check THE SOUND as influences, that’s cool to me only.
THE FLOOR - Autonomy Off/On – No label.

16. THE DEPARTURE – All Mapped OutSigned to Parlophone Records in the UK, we got this early dose of music when they were out touring with THE KILLERS earlier this year. From Northhampton, these guys were snapped up after only four months in existence- has to be a record somewhere – hope they last that long.
THE DEPARTURE – Demo – No label.

17. SINGAPORE SLING - Life Is Killing My Rock 'N' RollAnother returning artist to FUTURE SOUNDS - you should already own their last CD if you’ve been on the list for awhile – SINGAPORE SLING is back. Dirty Scandinavians, just the way we like them. Stinky does it again!
SINGAPORE SLING - Life Is Killing My Rock 'N' Roll – Stinky Records.

18. GOSLING – Mr. Skeleton Wings I made reference to GOSLING in last month’s FS15, so here comes an actual track of a band you will hear plenty about. From up North in Seattle, these guys were discovered first by The Control Group, after their first show ever was supporting Velvet Revolver.
GOSLING - Gosling EP – The Control Group.

19. SKINNYMAN – I’d Be SurprisedOk, so we already have THE STREETS and DIZZEE RAZCAL, but now the UK is pumping out SKINNYMAN, another hip hop artist that isn’t doing things the old school way or dropping gangsta gangsta on you AGAIN. No flash in the pan, he’s been around awhile, just now starting to get some attention on this side of the Atlantic.
SKINNYMAN – Council Estate of Mind - Lowlife Records.

20. DAVID HOPKINS – Ginger HairCurrently on a five-week Irish and UK tour that has him playing to crowds of 100,000 in Dublin and festival showcases in Manchester, DAVID HOPKINS gives us this breezy gem from his most recent collection of songs on the Scared Rabbit EP. Stepping up to take the crown of the next great Irish singer songwriter to rock the world, David is no stranger to FUTURE SOUNDS.
DAVID HOPKINS – Scared Rabbit EP – No label.

21. TOM BAXTER – My DeclarationSome kinda voice we have here in this TOM BAXTER guy. Who the hell is he anyway? Some say a DAVID GRAY, others a JEFF BUCKLEY, I hear more of CHRIS MARTIN than anyone. Gorgeous record, amazing voice.
TOM BAXTER – Feather & Stone – Sony Records.

FAR OUT…I have to apologize for how late this one is and how few unsigned bands appear on this addition. Things have been a little crazy around the FTF offices and to be honest, the summer demo stack was pretty sad sack.
Here are some up and comers that were of note however:

BABY – track: ‘Kiss Kiss’ – Way out there in a spacey type of way, download this one from their website.

NEWS FROM THE FUTURE…

THE DRAMA are working on the finishing touches to their full length that will follow up the fall Fierce Panda EP to be released. Just dropped by the studios recently and wow! - Sounds big. I mean, BIG.

THE KILLERS you must be sick of hearing about from me, but let’s say that things are going well in their camp. They’ve just filmed an episode of THE O.C. and will be featured on MTV2’s $2 Bill concert on September 24th. The album has cracked the Billboard Top 50 and we’re still one single into the record.

Las Vegas rapper, D JON, has completed 3 new songs that will complete a bulletproof demo CD that is headed to a short list of heads in the coming weeks. Some songs are self-produced; others are with people that have worked with Dr. Dre and Bone Thugs and Harmony.

FILM SCHOOL’s n.LANNON – that’s Nyles Lannon to you and me, is still garnering raves about his latest record, Chemical Friends. Uncut Magazine just gave him 4 out of 5 stars, citing: "Like Simon & Garfunkel reared on Loveless, or perhaps Nick Drake meets Fennesz, but N.Lannon is in a felicitous field of one."

MINT CHERRY are now mastering the final versions of their five-song demo at this very moment. I’ll feature the lead single on FUTURE SOUNDS 17, and I think you are going to freak.

FINAL THOUGHTS…Other notable releases out this month: THE DRIVE BY TRUCKERS – The Dirty South. *** THE THRILLS – ‘Whatever Happened to Corey Haim’ is out and sounds like the same kind of Thrills that we already love so much *** Another one I was late on receiving but have made up time quickly on since is THE CONCRETES. Listen to ‘Diana Ross’ and then thank me for finding a new favorite band for you. *** A disappointment is the latest record by CLINIC. Not that there isn’t moments of greatness (‘The Magician’), but it actually is slightly dull. ***I’ve heard early songs from THE MUSIC, and ‘Freedom Fighter’ should be a big hit for the boys. *** I also think that the new record by THE EARLIES is beautiful and moody and breathtaking at times. *** Have you purchased THE FUTUREHEADS yet? ***

*** Please send me your feedback on the unsigned artists, so I can share it with them - it could make the difference. -- email me @ larry@fromthefuture.org .